In Buddy's Eyes

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Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Follies
• Sondheim
• Papermill
• In
• Buddys
• Eyes
• Donna
• McKechnie

[mjmacmtenor]

Many people will be surprised to hear that McKechnie (known most for her dancing roles) was also a good singer. Sally is one of the MOST difficult vocal roles ever written (over 2 octaves, singing strongly in both alto and soprano ranges) not to mention the acting challenge. She does a very good job here. I think that she also played Phyllis at one time as well. For those interested, there is a complete CD of the Papermill production along with bonus songs cut from the show.

[an7iguy]

@mjmacmtenor - Unfortunately Donna's voice will always be overshadowed by her dancing, but she truly danced like no one else. She's also the only person that I know of to play Sally, Phyllis, and Carlotta in high-profile productions.

[mylandtffy]

Why should she sing like Barbara Cook?

[iamupforallfun]

She is just... too perfect as Sally. love her.

[mjmacmtenor]

@an7iguy Her dancing was truly spectacular and it is was made her special. I had the priviledge of seeing in the original Chorus Line. However, she was not just a dancer, but a complete triple-threat. In the original production, Cassie's solo was in the alto range, but she often sang high soprano in the group numbers (such as Hello 12, Hello 13). In all subsequent productions I have seen, the Cassies have taken these soprano parts done an octave into the alto range.

[sacredlunatic]

Sondheim is almost always better from an actor who sings rather than a singer who acts.

[jjarndyce]

Mckechnie was the PERFECT Sally, and I don't see how on earth Sondheim could see this quintessentially all-American gal as Carlotta. As for the voice - no, not fabulous, but so what? Smith couldn't sing but she was a superb Phyllis, if not the best.

[itsjohn2000]

Donna McKechnie's amazing range of talents continue to amaze me. She tackles this song and makes it her own. What a lovely voice. She can ' kid' me with her talents any time - they are the 100 per cent real thing.

[LukeWittz]

what is this from?

[pnrondeau100]

Donna was born to play this role. Sheer perfection!

[margann8]

Donna is an extrordinary talent, and should not be compared to anyone, no matter who did the role...

[fashionglindaguru]

I don't remember the story all that well, but in her book, Donna wrote that she did "Follies" at Papermill, she played Sally. However, when it came time for the 2002 Reprise Production in LA, they were looking at the Papermill cast, and Stephen Sondheim remarked that Donna would be a better Carlotta than Sally. Therefore, in LA she was Carlotta, and she loved the role.